October 19, 2016
The Veterans of Foreign Wars has begun this year’s scholarship competition. Local middle school and high school students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.
The first competition is Voice of Democracy (VOD), where a student must write and record a three-to-five minute essay on the selected theme using an audio CD or flash drive and present their recording, typed essay and completed entry form to the local VFW Post/Auxiliary by Nov. 1. This competition is for grades nine through twelve and was created to provide students the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles. The theme for this year’s VOD essay is “My Responsibility to America.”
Local first place winners advance to the district level with the winner advancing to the state level. The state first-place winner will receive a four-day trip to Washington, D.C., and a chance to compete for more than $150,000 in scholarships. The national first place winner receives a $30,000 college scholarship.
The second scholarship for grades six through eight. “The Patriot’s Pen” (PP) essay is to encourage young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experience in modern American society by composing a 300- 400-word patriotic-themed essay. The theme is “The America I Believe In.” The deadline for the PP competition is Nov. l.
The local winner will advance to the district and then state level. The first place winner will advance to an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. where the national first place winner will receive a $5000 scholarship.
The third scholarship contest is the “Patriotic Art“ Scholarship contest, where students in grades nine through 12 will compete for $21,000 in national scholarships. Students must submit an original piece of artwork on paper or canvas. Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen-and-ink or oil may be used. Digital art and photography is not accepted.
The entry must have been done during the current school year and must include a teacher’s signature. Students’ entries must be submitted to the VFW Auxiliary by March 31.
Students begin at the local level of competition, with the first-place winner advancing to the district level, and then to the state level. The state first-place winner will compete for $21,ooo in national awards and the national first-place winner will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship.
Custer Free Press - HFR DESIGN STUDIO 